Reindeer cookies

Reindeer Cookies

This is the treat Claudia wanted to take to school to share this week.  Sam opted for these chocolate cookies chock full of red and green m&ms.  And let me just say that I was pretty thankful I didn’t have to fuss over any more reindeer.  50 was plenty.  Not that my littlest baker wasn’t right in there helping with every step, and Sam did his fair share of helping too.  These just turned out to be pretty time-consuming.  Plus, to be honest, I think very few of them look like they’re sporting reindeer antlers.  Most of them look like some kind of red-nosed bug with pretzel antennae.

I used my recipe for peanut butter blossoms, then ditched the chocolate kisses in favor of broken pretzel antlers, red m&m noses, and mini chocolate chip eyes.  If you decide to bake these, make sure you insert the pretzel sticks as soon as they come out of the oven.  If the cookies begin to set up, the pretzels end up breaking the cookie apart, so work quickly.  Kids can definitely get in on the action here – mixing, rolling, adding the decorations.  There was a lot for them to do and they did a great job.  I’m sure their friends are gonna love ’em.

Recipe:  Reindeer Cookies

1/2 c. shortening

3/4 c. creamy peanut butter

1/3 c. granulated sugar

1/3 c. packed light brown sugar

1 egg

2 Tbsp. milk

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 1/2 c. all-purpose flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

broken pretzel twists for antlers

mini chocolate chips for eyes

red m&ms for noses

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Beat shortening and peanut butter until well blended.  Add sugars and beat until fluffy.  Add egg, milk, and vanilla; beat well.  Stir together flour, baking soda, and salt; gradually mix into peanut butter mixture.  Shape dough into 1″ balls.  Place on ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until lightly browned.  Immediately insert broken pretzel antlers, then m&m noses, then mini chocolate chip eyes.  Transfer to wire rack to cool completely.  Makes 4 dozen.